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Construction of the new Fountain Inn High School is now projected to cost $84 million

Construction of the new Fountain Inn High School in Greenville County is projected to cost $17 million more than originally expected — upping the total price tag to $84 million — according to the school district.

Aluminum and steel tariffs as well as rising costs in materials and labor are partially responsible for the increase, district administrators said in an internal memo that was included in school board meeting notes.

The original cost estimate also didn't include an additional 30,000 square feet that's been added to the scope of work. The extra space is needed to "ensure alignment with both the real world of manufacturing and the curriculum of post-secondary technical schools," the memo said.

Fountain Inn High will be the district's first school that focuses on STEAM subjects — science, technology, engineering, the arts and math — with a particular emphasis on advanced manufacturing.

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Renderings of the new Fountain Inn High School(Photo: Provided/Greenville County Schools)

Construction is to be completed by August of 2021. The school can house up to 2,000 students and is expected to relieve crowding at Hillcrest, Mauldin and Woodmont high schools, according to the district's long-range facilities plan.

Other capital improvement projects have also come in over budget. District administration have asked for $5.2 million more for additions at Summit Drive Elementary and Robert E. Cashion Elementary, $2.4 million more for new athletic facilities at Greer High, and $1.6 million more for the new environmental science building at the Roper Mountain Science Center, according to the memo.

The school board approved a 4.6-mill tax increase to fund the new high school and other projects in June 2017.